Edward Louis Lamoreaux

The last of the original loggers now belongs to the ages. If a heaven exists for Grandfather; it consists of behemoth firs that reach into the sky, saws that never dull, and legs that never tire. Ed went to be with the Lord on Wednesday April 20, 2011 at the age of 93. Ed was born near Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada on March 21, 1918 to Rita Potter and Daniel McKellar. Unable to care for a baby due to their young age, Rita and Daniel lovingly gave Edward up to an orphanage in hopes for an adoption and good life. When he was 2 years old, he was adopted by Frank and Rhoda Lamoreaux. The family moved to the Sutherlin area and had a small farm just a few miles east of town. Ed attended the community school that was located near Plat I reservoir where a sign post still exists locating where the school once stood. Ed went on to attend and graduate from Sutherlin High School in 1937. He met and fell in love with his eternal soul-mate Eloise Hand when he was 15 years old. Through nearly 72 years of marriage, thick and thin, ups and downs; they have been partners in life. To know them, is to view love in its purest form. When WWII came along, he went to Portland not once, but twice to enlist, but was rated as 4F due an automobile accident at 12 years old which left him crippled and bedridden for months. Ed loved to share stories of how he was turned down for service because he couldn't tote a rucksack through long marches in the army; yet hauled axes, choker cables, skylines, and saws up and down every mountain as far as you can see for decades. He would recall stories about the good old days of Sutherlin in its heyday, the rise of the early timber days where he would have to roust loggers out of Jugs club or the Past-time bar to go to work. The silver mine, the railroad, great hunts, years he didn't earn more than a dollar a day and times he hauled more logs than he could count. He was always good for a piece of advice, a wise anecdote, or a cafe coffee joke. Ed belonged to numerous organizations and clubs in the area including: the Umpqua Valley Timber Cruisers, the Douglas County Search and Rescue Team, and was one of the founding members of the Sutherlin Senior Center. Ed and Eloise also owned and sponsored the Intramural LX Logging softball team for many years. In his later years, Ed enjoyed cutting firewood, bowling, hunting, a good game of checkers, his armchair and a good movie, and his faithful lapdog. His morning ritual involved waking up at 5, then driving to the coffee shop to meet up with his fellow retirees. Ed lived a good, long life filled with family, love, and memories that will pass through the generations. He will be missed by everyone that came into his life. There is no amount of words to describe his depth of character and likeability- he did not know a stranger. Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years Eloise Hand Lamoreaux of Oakland; son Jon Lamoreaux and wife Kathy of Silverton, daughter Jean Kellum and husband Doug of Sutherlin; grandchildren Joseph Bishop of Sutherlin, Atticus Lamoreaux and wife Annemarie of Oakland, Jenny Radmer and husband Scott of Sutherlin, Jonathan Lamoreaux and wife Jamie of Silverton, Jeff Lamoreaux of Silverton; Great-grandchildren Jenica and Emily Lamoreaux of Oakland, Ashley and Zach Radmer of Sutherlin. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 25, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Fair Oaks Community Church with a graveside service to follow. Pastor Susan Brown will officiate. A reception will follow the graveside service at the church.